A reported fire at an east Emporia business led to damage early Friday, but fire does not appear to be the cause.

Fire Capt. Bill Harmon says a smelter pot at Thermal Ceramics, 221 Weaver, developed a hole for undetermined reasons. Some superheated glass leaked into the hole around 1:30 am, causing a lot of steam which could have been mistaken for smoke.

Firefighters cooled the smelter with water before turning the scene over to company officials.

Harmon says the smelter has been taken offline for perhaps up to a week. There are no additional reports of damage at the plant.